probable
Americanadjective
-
likely to occur or prove true.
He foresaw a probable business loss. He is the probable writer of the article.
-
having more evidence for than against, or evidence that inclines the mind to belief but leaves some room for doubt.
-
affording ground for belief.
adjective
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likely to be or to happen but not necessarily so
-
most likely
the probable cause of the accident
noun
Other Word Forms
- nonprobable adjective
- nonprobably adverb
- quasi-probable adjective
- quasi-probably adverb
Etymology
Origin of probable
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin probābilis likely, literally, capable of standing a test, equivalent to probā ( re ) to test ( probe ) + -bilis -ble
Compare meaning
How does probable compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
TYG could be comparatively well positioned if the recent surge in oil prices tapers off, as futures markets suggest is probable.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
The most probable path may be no move at all.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
“I was unable to determine probable cause,” the deputy wrote in her report.
From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026
The agency said it expected some "probable cases" to be downgraded in the coming days.
From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026
Jaime Bayona turned up dozens of probable cases of MDR in Carabayllo, all by himself, from reading patients’ files upside down, in addition to the ten patients Farmer had visited.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
